Kevin Bacon's The Following renewed for second season

KEVIN Bacon serial killer series The Following has been renewed for a second season.

The dark serial-killer drama, co-starring Shawn Ashmore and James Purefoy, will return for a second run of 15 consecutive episodes.

The Fox series has emerged as one of the channel’s few breakout hits and has become the second most popular broadcast drama in the US after only six airings.

In the UK, where new episodes air one day behind their US debut, the series can be sen on Sky Atlantic.

Kevin Reilly, Fox Broadcasting’s entertainment chairman, said: “From the very beginning, we felt Kevin Williamson and Marcos Siega had created a high-quality, edge-of-your-seat drama that could break from the pack, and it is exciting to see the audience responding.

“Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy have given us two of the most compelling characters on television, and the entire cast is incredible. I’m delighted to have this thrill ride continue on Fox for another season.”

While The Following will be back, it’s not yet certain whether Kiefer Sutherland drama Touch will be renewed beyond its sophomore season given the ratings dip the show has experienced in the US.